An Expert's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Effortless Hosting for Unexpected Guests

During the busy season, while there is so much going on that even vivacious people might sometimes anticipate the quiet break of the new year, it's all too easy to overlook details. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has once felt surprised awake at work because of an inquiry from someone wondering, "What time are we expected over tonight?" Fear not; if you're absent minded, and simply likely to make impromptu plans, I have some solutions.

The Secret to Great Gatherings

Firstly, though I cannot stress this enough, whether you have planned for a year versus only a quarter-hour, the most enjoyable parties are the easiest. All anyone is hoping for is a good chat, something to drink, and enough nibbles so they do not feel like chewing an arm off on the ride back. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates professional bartending, fancy food or entertainers.

The greatest parties tend to be the simplest. Still, an idea is useful to cover up the fact you've only thrown the party together while coming home from work.

Picking a Theme to Focus Your Party Planning

That said, an overarching idea works well for disguising that you've only put this thing on on the way after work. By concept, think of for example Christmas. Getting slightly focused (Nordic holidays, say, featuring spiced drink, warm beverage, smoked fish plus crispbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with traditional drink, refreshing lagers and tequila drinks, along with heaps of snacks, spicy sauce & green spread, and festive music in the background) can narrow your choices on the upcoming shopping trip.

Smart Purchasing to Support The Party

In the store, choose one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for those who do, a non-alcoholic one for some don't want to) plus some nibbles that fit the theme, and purchase as many as possible, rather than stressing over giving people endless options. No thing looks more welcoming and celebratory than a bounty – I would always prefer to arrive with a tub filled with iced containers with affordable sparkling wine than a small serving with swanky bubbly. (Add several packs of ice, too; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)

Drinks & Party Beverages Streamlined

If you must demonstrate skills and offer a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a large batch in a pitcher so you're not left messing about with drinks when you ought to be having fun. Once the party begins, request a significant other or volunteer to keep an eye on it and top up when needed until it's finished. Do the same for the soft drink; people love to be given a task while socializing so they may experience the goodwill.

On the punch front, whichever mix you go for (they abound online), skip any recipe overly sugary – any kids there ought to have separate beverages – and if you have one, put flavor enhancers within reach (don't add any in the mix as they are unsafe for individuals abstaining from alcohol entirely). Make an effort with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem neglected; just spend a short time to add a few rounds of lemon or orange to the punch.

Nibbles That Work With Minimal Preparation

For me, I'd skip the pre-made assortments of "party foods" available at grocery stores seasonally; they come across as fussy, and usually involve turning the oven on (should you do this, remember that all guests truly favors garlic bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). It's my firm opinion nothing beats several large dishes of decent crisps (simple will offend no one), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those great-value bags with nuts typically found in the international aisle of supermarkets, with perhaps some olives without stones as a garnish (you don't want to find pits in odd places months later).

If, similar to some, you don't consider chips proper food, one big slab of tasty cheese on a board and crispbreads and some artfully draped grapes tends to seem visually appealing. A platter with some cured or cooked meats or fish arranged on it (a single variety, unless you're wealthy), or an attractive pre-made pie, of the type that pop up on deli counters seasonally, is even more satisfying, and you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal chunks of Italian bread, since they require no additional preparation.

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